JP2001510062A - Method and apparatus for detecting respiration - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] A method and apparatus for use in detecting respiration of a human or an animal to reliably detect respiration regardless of whether the respiration is performed by a nose or a mouth. The device 1 conducts respiratory airflow from the nose and mouth past the position 5 where the sensor is located. In one embodiment, the device is tubular and has two openings 2, 3, respectively positioned in the nose and mouth, and a third opening 5, to which the sensor can be fixed with a snap action.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and an auxiliary device intended to be used for detecting the respiration of a human or an animal.

[0002] In this document, "detecting respiration" refers to achieving a signal that follows a respiratory airflow to a substantially substantial extent.

With the use of a device for detecting respiration according to International Patent Application WO 94/16620, respiration sensors are arranged to be positioned in the respiratory airflow during exhalation and inhalation. This has been implemented in applications with fixation devices used in the nostrils.

[0004] The problem solved by the present invention is with a respiratory sensor that reliably detects breathing, whether performed by the nose or mouth. Another problem that is solved is that the respiration sensor is securely held in its position and the respiration sensor can be easily applied and removed. In addition, it should be possible to move the sensor from patient to patient without the risk of infection. Another problem to be solved is:
The effect on normal breathing is small. These and other problems are solved by the claimed method and apparatus.

For this reason, first, a device is used that conducts respiratory airflow from the nose and mouth past the location where the sensor is located so that respiration detection is performed regardless of the degree of respiration.

In a first embodiment, a tubular device is used, which is fixed between the nose and the mouth and has an end opening and a third opening for a sensor arranged in the tubular device. I have. This embodiment has three main parts. That is, it includes a tubular device, a fixing plate for the tubular device, and a sensor fixing device that can be fixed to the device by a snap action. The second embodiment is mainly formed by a convex circular portion fixed to the nose and mouth together with the first embodiment, and formed so as to capture the respiratory airflow and guide them to the opening of the sensor. Be composed. The tubular and convex circles are designed so as not to interfere with normal breathing. The convex round variant is provided for use with a nasal cannula. The sensor fixation device according to the invention can also be used on intubated patients, whereby a special intermediate part is used together with a connection tube part for the sensor fixation device.

[0007] In a third embodiment, the tubular device is contoured with a flat portion with attachment means so that no special securing device is required to secure the tubular device to the upper lip. This embodiment can also be designed to be fixed directly to the nasal cannula without the need for the convex circular part according to the second embodiment.

[0008] The device according to the invention may be used not only with devices of the kind described above that utilize fiber ends in the respiratory airflow, but also with other respiratory sensors located in the respiratory airflow, for example based on temperature sensing. Can also.

[0009] A device that uses a hose to conduct airflow from the nose and mouth to a normal respiratory sensor is disclosed in International Patent Application No. 9641571A (FIG. 8A, claims 1 to 10).
And International Patent Application No. 9705824 A1 (FIG. 5). Furthermore, as well as devices having several sensors for detecting mouth and nasal breathing, they are well known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,069,222A and 5,413,111A.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings.

An embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 1A to 1C comprises a tubular part 1 having a first end opening 2 and a second end opening 3 and a channel interconnecting these openings.
In the first end opening 2, the tube is cut mainly vertically. Near the first end opening 2, the tubular part 1 bends at an angle of about 70 degrees, and when placed in the nostrils, the first end opening is directed inward toward the nasal air channel. On the tubular part 1 at the first end opening 2 a sealing ring 4 of loose elastic foam plastic is arranged (FIG. 1C).
The other end opening 3 of the tubular part 1 is also an open part along the longitudinal direction of the tubular part,
It is this opening that is placed over the mouth when using the device.

A tube piece 5 connected to the inner channel of the tubular part 1 is positioned on the tubular part such that a substantially straight line is formed for airflow from the first end opening 2 to the tube connector 5. Thus, a third end opening is shown. This sizing has been proven to provide excellent breath detection in nasal and mouth breathing. The end of the tube connector 5 at its end is provided with a groove 6 to facilitate fixing the sensor component by snap action.

By means of a fixing device in the form of a plate 7 with a tube 10 (FIG. 2), the tube 1 is kept in place by passing the tube 1 through the tube 10 and the plate 7 is attached to the upper lip . The plate 7 also comprises holes 8, 9 so that the device can be secured around the head by means of elastic bands or similar means, if necessary. The plate 7 has an adhesion layer 11.

In another embodiment of the fixing device according to FIG. 3 (3A, 3B, 3C), it consists of a strip 12 according to FIG. 3C. The strip 12 comprises a cross-shaped groove 13 and two opposing grooves 14, the opposing grooves 14 engaging with the grooves 13 and the tube 10 and the plate 7.
One of the ends of the strip 12 can be passed through the cross-shaped groove 13 until is formed by the strip 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the securing device may also include a recess 15 on the tube 10 such that the recess 15 receives its tube connector 5.
As an alternative to the fixing device according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the tubular part 1 may comprise a fixing plate.

The fiber anchoring device according to FIG. 4 protects the end of the optical fiber constituting the respiration sensor and facilitates its positioning on the auxiliary device according to the invention. 4A, 4D and 4E, respectively, as well as two cross-sectional views according to BB in FIG. 4B and AA in FIG. 4C. It comprises at one end an elongated portion 31 having a substantially cylindrical air duct 32 therethrough. A channel 34 runs through elongate section 31 and runs primarily perpendicular to an air duct 32 for optical fibers (not shown), and is secured to a fiber securing device when mounted, with the fiber end positioned in the center of the air duct. It has become so. The fiber channel 34 has an extension 35 with a diameter corresponding to the protective cover of the fiber. One end of the air duct 32 expands like a chimney, and a flange 37 is formed.
The groove 36 is provided so that The flange 37 is adapted to be received in the groove 6 and the fiber fixing device is snapped onto the tube connector 5. The elongated portion of the fiber fixation device 31 is flat and has opposing grip surfaces 37 and 38, as well as protrusions 39 to facilitate its fixation and removal.
When the present invention is used with sensors other than optical fibers, only the fiber anchoring device needs to be modified and adapted to the type of sensor desired.

The device according to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C is arranged on each of the patient's nose and mouth and is a convex of a substantially uniform thickness of a thin material used with the device according to FIGS. It is constituted by a circular part 45. The convex circular portion 45 has holes 46 and 47
And can be secured around the head by an elastic band or similar means. This configuration is a slightly asymmetric dome with a convex portion 49 and a slight concave portion 48 seen in cross section from the outside. This means that for each patient with either a convex or a concave part oriented upwards with respect to the nose, in order to achieve the best possible respiration detection with the device according to FIG. The position is formed so that it can be tested. The reason why the convex circular portion 45 is often required is as follows.
Some patients present with weak and inconsistent respiratory airflow, especially due to mouth breathing.

The device according to FIGS. 6A and 6B constitutes an alternative to the embodiment according to FIGS. 5A to 5C. First, it is intended for use with a nasal cannula 50 used to supply oxygen to both nostrils. It consists mainly of a convex circular device 51 with two holes 52 to pass over the nasal cannula and be positioned under the nose beside it. For this purpose, the convex circular device 51 can be used as a fixing device for the tubular device according to FIG. 1 and is arranged on the tubular device 1 which is fixed separately.
Next, the convex circular device 51 captures the respiratory flow during nasal breathing and guides it to the upper opening 2, while the lower opening 3 is usually positioned in front of the mouth, and the respiratory airflow due to mouth breathing is taken. Capture.

The intermediate part 70 according to FIGS. 7A and 7B comprises a through channel 71 which can be connected to the tracheal tube and has a connecting tube 72 with a cross channel 73 similar to the tube piece 5. Depending on the patient being intubated, the intermediate component 70 can be used with the fiber fixation device 30 instead of the tubular component 1 to provide reliable detection of respiration.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C
Has a substantially similar inner channel between the first end opening 2 and the second end opening 3 as the tubular part 1, but externally the second part. An adapter device 81 is used having an end opening 3 and a longer flat portion along the main portion of the inner channel. The longer flat part that constitutes the main part of the adapter device 81 is designed with a constriction in the middle of the grip surface to facilitate application, in particular the elongated end opening is provided with a part on the dome, For example, a cushion 82 made of a resilient material such as foamed plastic is used,
4 and an attachment means. With this design, the adapter device 81 can be directly fixed to the upper lip after the protective film 84 is peeled off.

In the adapter device 81, the pipe connector 5 is arranged linearly with the airflow from the first end opening 2, and the channel from the second end opening 3 forms an angle of about 70 degrees with the pipe connector 5. Form. The sealing ring in this case is constituted by an annular flange of a resilient material. The cross-sectional area of the air channel from the end openings 2 and 3 and in the tube connector 5 is such that the first end opening 2 is positioned in and in the nostril and the second end opening 3
Is positioned outside the mouth to be measured to indicate detectable respiratory airflow through the tube connector 5 regardless of whether nasal or mouth breathing occurs.

9A, 9B, 9C and 9D show how the device according to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C can be modified and used with a nasal cannula 50. FIG. To this end, the main part of the adapter device 91 is formed by a tongue 92 which can be retained through the nasal cannula and replace one of its openings which has been removed. Oxygen via the nasal cannula is then supplied through one of the nostrils, and respiratory measurements are performed by the adapter device 91 in the other nostril. To allow a sufficiently large air flow to reach the tube connector 5 from the second end opening 3 during mouth breathing, the tongue 9
The intermediate air channel 93 in 2 is given an elliptical cross section, see FIG. 9D. As in the adapter device 81 in this case, the tongue 92 is attached to the attaching means 8.
A pad 82 is provided together with the protective film 3 and the protective film 84.

[0023] Other designs are possible within the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show a tubular device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein A shows a front view, B shows a section AA according to A, and C is mounted It is a figure which shows a side surface with a nose ring.

FIG. 2 consists of three drawings, showing a fixing device of the device according to FIG. 1, wherein A shows a front view, B shows a view from below, and C shows a side view.

FIG. 3 is three partial views showing a second embodiment of a fixing device similar to FIG. 2; Thus, A shows a front view, B shows a view from below, and C shows how a fastening device can be manufactured from a strip of material.

FIG. 4 shows a fiber fixing device, consisting of three drawings and two cross sections, which is detachably fixed to the device according to FIG. 1; Therefore, A, D, and E show three partial views, and B and C show cross sections of A taken along BB and AA, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a three-part view showing a second embodiment in the form of a convex circular part in which A, B and C can be used with the device according to FIGS.

6 is a two-part view from the front according to A and from the side according to B, showing a second embodiment of the convex circular part according to FIG. 5 used with a nasal cannula.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an intermediate part having a connection pipe used for intubation. A shows an intermediate part on one side, and B shows a cross section AA by A.

FIGS. 8A, B and C show a third embodiment of the invention corresponding to the tubular device 1 of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, wherein A is a front view and B is according to A; FIG. 7 shows a cross section AA, with C showing the side with the attached nose ring.

9A, B and C show variants of the nasal cannula of the device according to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C in corresponding partial views. D is a diagram showing a cross section BB by A.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 26, 2000 (2000.5.26)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A person or animal in which a device is used which conducts respiratory airflow from the nose and mouth past a position where the sensors are arranged such that sensors sensitive to respiratory airflow and respiration detection are performed by the same sensor. In a method for detecting the respiration of a subject, a short, substantially straight tubular part (1) is used, which is fixed between the nose and the mouth, with end openings (2, 3) and an intermediate channel and A channel in communication with the channel and a third opening in the tube to which the sensor is applied. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a convex device is used which is fixed over the nose and mouth and at least part of the tube. 3. An apparatus for detecting human or animal breathing by conducting respiratory airflow from the nose and respiratory airflow to the same sensor sensitive to the respiratory airflow, wherein the distance between the mouth and the nostril is detected. A tubular part (1) having a length approximately equal to and having a first portion (1, 2, 4) and conducting respiratory airflow to be placed in the nose or nostril; and in or in front of the mouth Second to conduct respiratory airflow to be placed
And a channel having an end opening (5), wherein the sensor is disposed and the respiratory airflow is directed to and from the end opening (5) of the sensor channel. A first portion, which is conducted by the portion and the second portion and conducts respiratory airflow, is constituted by a first end portion having a first opening (2) of the tubular part (1);
The second part for conducting the respiratory airflow is constituted by a second end part having a second opening (3) of the tube part (1) and the end opening (5) of the sensor is between the end parts. An apparatus, wherein the apparatus is disposed in a tube. 4. The tube part (1) is held in a patient by a plate (7) having an adhesive layer (11) and comprises a tube part (10) in which the tube part (1) can be placed. Apparatus according to claim 3. 5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the end opening of the sensor comprises means for detachably holding the sensor unit including the respiratory sensor. . 6. The sensor unit (30) includes an elongated portion (31) having a substantially cylindrical air duct (32) therethrough, the center of which is positioned the end of an optical fiber disposed substantially radially. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that: 7. An air duct (32) is arranged through one end of the elongated portion (31) and the other end is formed as a handle portion (37, 38, 39). 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein 8. The method according to claim 3, further comprising a convex circular portion fixed over at least a part of the nose, the mouth and the detecting device. The device according to item.